we know the best person to answer that question is eric foner, the author of "the fiery trial: abraham lincoln and american slavery." >> many folks don't remember that president lincoln also had a bad midterm election. >> absolutely. >> how did he react to it compared to how president obama -- >> 1862, the republicans suffered serious setbacks. they didn't lose -- >> 1862 elections are not foremost in most people's mind. >> was it a shellacking? >> it was a shellacking for the republicans. they lost key governorships like new york. lost legislature in indiana. lost many seats in the house of representatives. and lincoln did not change his view. many people said that's because you had said you're going to emancipate the slaves. some said you better withdraw on that, lincoln, because, obviously, people have reacted against that. there were all these fears. you freed the slaves. you are going to come up north and take the jobs of white people. lincoln did not retreat from his basic views because of losing the 1862 elections. >> one of the fascinating things about your book is it tells the

. >> commissioner, on the floor is a motion foner, on the floor is a motion for continuance february 10th. public hearing remains open and basically it's to consider a redesign of the project. >> that's correct. >> sorry. i was just going to say, i think the direction of commissioner moore's comments are to lessen the amount -- lessen or eliminate the need for variances and other match nations that are being asked of this commission. >> ok. on the motion, commissioner antonini? >> aye. >> commissioner moore? >> aye. >> commissioner saguy? >> aye. >> commissioner miguel? >> aye. >> thank you, commissioners. all three components of this item are continued until february 10. commissioners, you are now on item number 20. 2010.057od for 2441 mission street. >> good evening president miguel and members o6 c1 street. >> good evening president miguel and members of the commission. before you this evening is mandatory discretionary review

>> up next, columbia university history professor eric foner examines abraham lincoln's thoughts on slavery and reports that early in president lincoln's political career he was naturally anti-slavery but adhered to the constitution's original protection of the institution in the slave states. this discussion is about an hour, ten minutes. >> well, thank you very much for that kind introduction, and thanks to all of you for coming out on this kind of -- now i know why they call chicago the windy city. coming in here today. but i'm very, very happy to be here at this great institution, and as was said after my talk, i would be more than happy to take some time to respond to questions -- >> [inaudible] >> okay. someone can't hear the mic. i will, i'll be happy to answer questions after the talk is over. well, i don't need to tell you here in illinois that abraham lincoln is probably the most iconic figure in american history. every political group from radicals to conservatives, from selling regaitionists to civil rights advocates has tried to claim lincoln as their own, every protestant deno